Situated at the western end of State Highway 60, Collingwood is a quiet town, but there’s plenty to do if you love nature. From here you can launch yourself onto the Heaphy Track in the Kahurangi National Park or catch an eco-tour to the bird sanctuary of Farewell Spit.

It’s easy to rent a mountain bike to explore beautiful Aorere Valley, or a kayak to paddle around Ruataniwha Inlet. Other local activities include studying minerals at Rockville, horse treks along Wharariki Beach, where there’s a seal colony or visiting the Rawhiti Caves in Golden Bay - which are well worth the walk. Perched as it is on the edge of Golden Bay, Collingwood is a place to enjoy scallops.